Bow hanging apparatus

ABSTRACT

Archery artisans using 21 st  century composite horizontal and parallel split limb bows have had little success in adapting old technology to use. Specifically hanging one of the aforementioned 21 st  century style bows and how to control the involuntary lateral movement across rough, large textured hardwood tree bark while using a hanger that partially encompasses a hardwood tree branch. Solving this problem lead to many other unique and novel ideas, such as a wider contact patch instead of a contact point, using non-concentric tangently connected arc segment that have a 3-dimensional concaved scalloped design so an archery artisan could feel what position said bow was hanging without looking away from the hunted prey. Another unique solution involved a protruding registry tip needed so an archery artisan could feel a different position when the hanging apparatus is almost released and able to clear a stationary or swaying hardwood tree branch.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/632,612 filed Jan. 27, 2012, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to the U.S. Patent classification definitions, technical field of but not limited to; Class 124 Mechanical guns and projectors/Subclass 23.1 Bow, Subclass 25 Crossbows, Subclass 35.1 Cord or Band, Subclass 88 Bow handle or attachment thereto and Class 248 Supports/Subclass 205.1 Specially mounted or attached, Subclass 304 Hook type, stationary mount, Subclass 560 Resilient supports, Subclass 610 Suspended, alternately Subclass 683 Mounted by adhesive; Subclass 686 embedded within article, Subclass 687 Anti-mar or non-slip, Subclass 690 mounted by hook or loops, Subclass 692 Open hook, Subclass 693 flexible suspension and Subclass 909 Frangible. More specifically to a unique and novel apparatus, an attachable appendage by which an archer's bow is supportably hung in a pendunculate manner and that allows an archer to resiliently suspend or support by stationary mounted, alternatively mounted by adhesive, an anti-mar and non-slip open hook. Said BOW HANGING APPARATUS allows an archer to hang a bow from any surface that has a protruding edge capable of supporting an archery bow. Said BOW HANGING APARATUS allows an archer to suspend a bow in a manner that does not damage said bow and holds said bow in a manner that is easy to grab.

2. Prior Art

Archery in its purest form has long been associated with the Native American bow and arrow, and while the newest style of bow is the compound bow, invented in the mid-20th century with 20^(th) century technology. Said compound bow consisted of steel pulleys and/or cams on the ends of the vertical staves or limbs, with a long string that criss-crosses the bow multiple times. One limb usually has an elliptical cam, which produces a sudden reduction in the draw weight of the bow when a certain point is reached. Bow material was commonly wood or fiberglass. Computer software had yet to be invented that could demonstrate stress and g-force generated upon staves, strings and elliptical pulleys. Arrow speed was comparably slow at 200 fps and archery bows had a curved shape. Archery bows described can be bought inexpensively.

In the 21^(st) century, computers and software technology have advanced archery as archery equipment has seen dramatic advances in aluminum and magnesium composite limb systems, parallel limb design, split limbs, limb turrets, cam module, idler module, carbon tension cable and strings, power and buss cables, cable and string suppressors, inertia tungsten carbide weight disks embedded into cams and string grubs. The aforementioned advances and innovations have brought the modern compound bow to where it is today. Arrow speeds now reach 340 fps; computerized numerical controlled machines bend, form or vacuum composite material into variations of rectangular shapes with parallel dual limbs and horizontal limbs tipped with cam modules, idler modules, string suppressors etc.

While archery equipment and compound bow performance advances have continued to rise, so has the price of this 21^(st) century technology. High performance archery bows cost upwards of $1,200. While there do exist many fanciful apparatus that will attach in all manners to an archers bow, they all have similar shortcomings which is none would provide adequate protection to said new and expensive 21^(st) century archery technology. Specifically the underside of an archer's bows limbs when hanging. Archery bow hooks, hangers and the like have been around for many years, practical items include breaking a tree branch and maneuvering ones bow over the broken end of said tree branch and hanging said bow by the underside of the bow's limbs where said bow limb, cam and string rest on the tree limb. An alternative option, a coat hanger cut and bent to the shape of an “S”. Both of the aforementioned options damage the archers bow, specifically the underside of the bow limbs, cam module and idler module and associated power and buss cables.

For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,561,477; dated May 13, 2003, discloses an archery bow hanger, Said '477 describes a long hollow metal tube with a bracket and a hook. Said '477 mounts in place of an arrow quiver or in place of the sight at said sight mounting holes. Because an arrow quiver is needed to carry arrows and a sight is needed for sighting, hunting with the '477 in place would require the removal of said quiver or said sight thus a hunting deficiency by using '477. So also by firing a 21^(st) century archery bow with '477 attached, a large amount of the vibration from the potential energy released from a recoiling bow string will travel into '477 and cause a high vibration level that results in increased radiated sound, which is also viewed as a deficiency while stealthily hunting. Furthermore, archery bows are currently being custom ordered with said sight and arrow quiver molded into the bow riser thereby removing claimed mounting points for said '477.

Another example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,628,893; dated Dec. 16, 1986, discloses a Bow Hanger, said '893 compiles a parts list of plates, bolts, winged nuts and a bent rod sandwiched between said plates attached with said bolt and nut atop archery bow limb. The bow depicted in '893 was the shape of bows for the 1980 era, said bows are known as a traditional longbow or recurve bow and archery artisans relied on the string to create the tension to bend the limbs thus storing energy. '893 is a very patentable device for traditional archery longbow or recurve bows made during said 1980 era.

However, today's 21^(st) century bows are computer generated to exact geometry dictating precise manufacturing tolerances to achieve tension and torsion along said archery bow limbs. Specifically split limb bows, bows having two separated parallel limbs. One limb has a twist to compensate for the torsion created by pulling the bow string that twists the cam module. Said 21^(st) century split limb bows thus described achieves great arrow speeds and accuracy; therefore, an archery artisan using '893 which would bridge said split limbs by attaching a flat spot like said plates of '893 to sandwich said split limb bows would cancel the bow engineers geometrical design for compression, return tension, curvation of limbs or staves that is achieved with modern materials and technology. Furthermore, '893 attached and used as described, would mar the fanciful camouflaged coverings of 21^(st) century bows, also the torque required to contain '893 on a 21^(st) century archery bow would compress and dig into the composite limb causing extensive damage.

Additional prior art is U.S. Pat. No. 4,889,307; dated Dec. 26, 1989 also discloses a Bow Hanger. Said '307 was patented during said 80's era and likewise displays similar deficiencies as said '893 and while having its own unique weakness's. Said '307 as viewed in '307s FIG. 1 depicts a typical 20^(th) century longbow or recurve bow furthermore written narrative describes a “ . . . bow that has two limbs joined by a nut and bolt.” which was typical of said longbows and recurves from that era and not of 21^(st) century bows. '307 defines a parts list that includes nuts, bolts, threaded spindle rods, and a right angle mounting plate. While '307 is a very unique and novel design for said 80's era longbow and recurve bows, an artisan attempting to mount a '307 on a 21^(st) century horizontal or parallel bow would soon realize said right angle base plate mounted as described would invert the curved portion of '307 upside down, thus an artisan bow equipped with a '307 would not support said artisans bow. Furthermore, a unique deficiency discovered in such as but not limited to '307 is the small contact point created between the underside of any round object resting atop of and perpendicular to another round. object. Because '307 and similar have a contact point and not a contact patch, the slightest breeze hitting a tree or just crossing suspended '307 creates said unique deficiency of involuntary lateral bow movement. Moreover, '307 describes . . . an object of the invention . . . . . . a long service life and minimal of maintenance . . . , today's artisans, employing 21^(st) century material, manufacture a wide array of maintenance free archery equipment consequently having to maintain the many parts described within '307 is a deficiency. Additionally, the large majority of 21^(st) century archery bows are not constructed with a nut and bolt manner but employ embedded compression fittings pivoting around an embedded nub which increases the return tension of an artisans bow's limb. The aforementioned is especially true for parallel limbs and split limb designs. Said compression fitting requires a bow press machine to relive the potential energy stored within said bows limb even while in the resting position. As a result, '307 cannot be used as exemplified.

Accordingly, a need remains for a BOW HANGING APPARATUS in order to overcome the above-noted shortcomings found in such as but not limited to said U.S. Pat. Nos. '477, '893 & '307. The non-limiting exemplary embodiments satisfies such a need by providing such as but not limited to a zero maintenance, resilient, anti-mar, non-slip contact patch underside a non concentric partial ovidly shaped hanging apparatus that is convenient and easy to use, lightweight yet durable in design, versatile in its applications, and designed for an archer to resiliently suspend or support by stationary mounted, alternatively mounted by adhesive, an anti-mar and non-slip open hook.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing background, it is therefore an object of the non-limiting exemplary embodiments to provide a brief summary on the invention, some of the advantages are: constructed from resilient material which absorbs radiated vibration, has a contact patch in lieu of a contact point, requires zero maintenance, one piece construction, frangible, mountable upon split limb or parallel limb bows and neither causes damage to 21^(st) century composite bows nor mars camouflaged bow coverings. Embodiments described below demonstrate how said BOW HANGING APPARATUS solves many of the prior art problems.

Described in the opening embodiment is vibration absorbing, resilient material, zero maintenance, one-piece, frangible construction and said non-mar characteristics to composite bows and coverings.

An additional embodiment of the invention describes the underside of a non-concentric partially open loop, non-slip, wide contact patch and how said contact patch prevents lateral movement of archery artisan bow while partially encompassing such as a tree branch or stob. Additionally describing concave shaped irregular 3-dimensional indentions for gripping such as but not limited to hardwood tree bark.

A further embodiment discloses mountability upon either split limb bow or parallel limb bow without degrading said bow performance by a preferred method; also, an alternate method includes adhesive mounting.

Also embodied, a protruding tip that allows BOW HANGING APPARATUS to balance and to pendunculate a high performance 21^(st) century compound bow having split or parallel limbs and register the end of an open loop.

These and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention are provided by description of the preferred embodiments.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

It is noted the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

The novel features believed to be characteristic of this invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing BOW HANGING APPARATUS, in accordance with the non-limiting exemplary embodiments; and

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating BOW HANGING APPARATUS preferred mounting on such as but not limited to a high performance, 21 ^(st) century composite, horizontal, split limb archery bow.

FIG. 3 is a side view illustrating BOW HANGING APPARATUS of such as but not limited to a plurality of non-concentric arc segments tangentially joined to form an open loop and protruding registry tip.

FIG. 4 shows a non-limiting sectional view of a portion of at least one section of said non-concentric open loop.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the figures are not intended to be drawn to any particular scale; nor are the figures intended to illustrate every embodiment of the invention. The invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments depicted in the figures or the shapes, relative sizes or proportions shown in the figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The non-limiting exemplary embodiments will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which a preferred embodiment of the invention is shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiment set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this application will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the true scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout the figures.

The illustrations of the embodiments described herein are intended to provide a general understanding of the structure of the various embodiments. The illustrations are not intended to serve as a complete description of all of the elements and features of apparatus and systems that utilize the structures or methods described herein. Many other embodiments may be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the disclosure. Other embodiments may be utilized and derived from the disclosure, such that structural and logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Additionally, the illustrations are merely representational and may not be drawn to scale. Certain proportions within the illustrations may be exaggerated, while other proportions may be minimized. Accordingly, the disclosure and the figures are to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive.

One or more embodiments of the disclosure may be referred to herein, individually and/or collectively, by the term “non-limiting exemplary embodiments” merely for convenience and without intending to voluntarily limit the scope of this application to any particular invention or inventive concept. Moreover, although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it should be appreciated that any subsequent arrangement designed to achieve the same or similar purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to cover any and all subsequent adaptations or variations of various embodiments. Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments not specifically described herein, will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the description.

The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b) and is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, various features may be grouped together or described in a single embodiment for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter may be directed to less than all of the features of any of the disclosed embodiments. Thus, the following claims are incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as defining separately claimed subject matter.

The below disclosed subject matter is to be considered illustrative, and not restrictive, and the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications, enhancements, and other embodiments which fall within the true scope of the non-limiting exemplary embodiments. Thus, to the maximum extent allowed by law, the scope of the non-limiting exemplary embodiments is to be determined by the broadest permissible interpretation of the following claims and their equivalents, and shall not be restricted or limited by the foregoing detailed description.

References in the specification to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “a preferred embodiment”, “an alternative embodiment” and similar phrases mean that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least an embodiment of the invention. The appearances of the phrase “non-limiting exemplary embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all meant to refer to the same embodiment.

Directional and/or relationary terms such as, but not limited to, left, right, nadir, apex, top, bottom, vertical, horizontal, back, front and lateral are relative to each other and are dependent on the specific orientation of an applicable element or article, and are used accordingly to aid in the description of the various embodiments and are not necessarily intended to be construed as limiting.

The apparatus of this invention referred to generally in FIG. 1/4 and intends to provide a perspective view showing BOW HANGING APPARATUS. It should be understood that the non-limiting exemplary embodiments may be used to describe similar apparatus and many different types of devices that could be resiliently suspended by said BOW HANGING APPARATUS and should not be limited to the uses described herein. The descriptor nomenclature legend that follows is not meant to be all encompassing but to aid the reader in understanding the figures within the drawings.

Item Number 1: base section; and

Item Number 2: underside arc segment section; and

Item Number 3: frangible linear score lines; and

Item Number 4: compression fitting insert slot; and

Item Number 5: protruding registry tip; and

Item Number 6: non-concentric arc segment; and

Item Number 7: split or horizontal limb; (NOT part of the invention)

Item Number 8: Horizontal or parallel split limb bow riser head; (NOT part of the invention)

Item Number 9: Limb cap plate; (NOT part of the invention)

Item Number 10: Compression fitting (NOT part of the invention)

Items depicted with a dashed line are reference only and not part of the invention.

Viewing FIG. 1/4, a perspective view, BOW HANGING APPARATUS shown with descriptors number 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6 illustrating a first embodiment of the invention. BOW HANGING APPARATUS constructed of a vibration absorbing, resilient composite material, zero maintenance, one piece, frangible, waterproof and flexibly ridged to withstand repeated torsion. The 1 base section embedded with 3 frangible linear score lines perpendicularly intercepting, symmetrically flanking 4 compression fitting insert slot. Said 4 compression fitting insert slot terminates proximate 6 non-concentric arc segment, inwardly curving, tangibly connected to at least one 2 underside arc segment section. Said 2 underside arc segment section terminates 5 protruding registry tip. Said resilient composite material when comingled within like composite archery equipment is non-maring to said composite archery equipment. This embodiment corrects among other things vibration radiated sound deficiencies found in and produced by such as but not limited to said U.S. Pat. No. '477.

Yet in another embodiment and viewing FIGS. 3/4 and 4/4, descriptors numbered 1, 2, 5, 7, 8, 9 & 10 are shown. Viewing said FIG. 3 the viewer could see 9 limb cap plate sandwiching 1 base section and 7 horizontal or parallel split limb between 8 horizontal or parallel split limb bow riser retained by 10 compression fitting. Also seen are pluralities of concaved inwardly curving arc sections on at least one non-concentric 2 underside arc segment section. Said 2 section terminates at an inwardly pointing 5 protruding registry tip. Said plurality of concaved section terminate together to create pluralities of centerly facing points; viewing FIG. 4, the viewer could see said cross sectional view of said 2 underside arc segment section containing at least one concaved inwardly curving arc section and this cross sectional arc intersects with said concaved inwardly curving arc section seen in FIG. 3. Said intersecting concaved arc segments create a 3-dimensionally textured, wide contact patch for laterally gripping the rough grainy textured surface of such as but not limited to bark found on a tree branch. This embodiment describes unique improvements to overcome contact point deficiencies and involuntary lateral bow movement such as is produced by said described U.S. Pat. Nos. '893 & '307.

A further embodiment described and viewed on FIG. 2/4, and that is mountability on either split limb or parallel limb bows without degrading performance. Seen on FIG. 2 are items number 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 & 10. 10 compression fitting sandwiches 9 limb cap plate, 1 base section and 7 horizontal or parallel split limb between 8 horizontal or parallel split limb bow riser. Recalling said first embodiment said 1 base section resilient material allows separate torsion loads to be applied to said 7 horizontal or parallel split limbs. An alternate embodiment allows said 1 base section's 3 frangible area to be adhesively attached outside 9 limb cap plate. Having separate torsional loads on an individual said parallel split limb allows an archery artisan to mount BOW HANGING APPARATUS on 21^(st) century composite horizontal and parallel split limb archery bows without having to sacrifice self-inflected errors in limb geometry by using such as but not limited to U.S. Pat. No. '307.

An additional embodiment and viewing FIG. 1 and FIG. 3 enlightens the reader to said 5 protruding registry tip angularly connected to at least one 2 underside arc segment section. Viewing FIG. 3, Said 5 tip depicts a sharp transition from the generally geometrically smooth shaped 2 underside arc segments. This deflection angle created by said 5 protruding registry tip transitioning with said 2 underside segment section allows an archery artisian to feel the final transition before BOW HANGING APPARATUS will clear a stationary, or swaying or moving ovid object such as but not limited to when being removed from a tree branch. Said 5 protruding registry tip allows for an archery hunting artisan to remove and ready a 21^(st) century, composite, horizontal or parallel split limb bow from such but not limited to a tree branch without removing his eyes from the targeted game. Said feeling when said bow has released avoids sudden an unintentional jerking motions of said artisan and artisan's bow created by using a non-registering tip such as but not limited to said U.S. Pat. No. '477, or '307. Additionally, said 5 protruding registry tip provides a contact patch should said bow need to be laterally movement limited whilst being pendunculatly hung.

Such a structural configuration provides the unexpected and unpredictable advantage of resilient rigidity while also providing an apparatus to hang archery artisans 21^(st) century composite horizontal or parallel split limb archery bow.

While the invention has been described with respect to a certain specific embodiment, it will be appreciated that many modifications and changes may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is intended, therefore, by the appended claims to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. In particular, with respect to the above description; it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the non-limiting exemplary embodiments may include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation. 

What is claimed as new and what is desired to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:
 1. Bow hanging apparatus for use on composite horizontal or parallel split limb archery bows, comprising a. a open, plurality of non-concentric, tangentially connected segmented arc sections having a wide, 3-dimensionally shaped underside capable of limiting involuntary lateral movement across tree bark while partially encompassing stationary or swaying ovid tree branches, and b. a base section frangible comprised to fit beneath a horizontal or parallel split limb archery bow limb cap plate and compression fitting, and c. a protruding registry tip configured to convey seperation from such as but not limited to tree branch or stob.
 2. A bow hanging apparatus for use on composite horizontal or parallel split limb archery bows, a. resiliently configured to accept different torsional loads along parallel split limb archery bow limbs without degrading said limb geometry. 